Coronavirus: difference to Flu and Cold

2020-03-30

Fever, cough and headache, all the symptoms seem the same for a cold, the flu, and coronavirus (COVID-19). Really? I guess most USA may mess them up during 2019 spread of “Flu”. Here let us compare the difference between them from symptoms, signs and treatment.

COVID-19

Coronavirus, or COVID-19, the illness caused by coronavirus, proves deadly in around 3.5 percent of confirmed cases. So, how COVID-19 works? Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a new strain of coronavirus not previously seen in humans that is spreading quickly worldwide. That is why many people or doctor take it as flu or cold. It is dangours.

Four other strains of coronavirus are actually very common and usually only cause mild symptoms (like the common cold). However, some strains, like COVID-19, can cause severe illness in certain groups. For example, older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions — like heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes, for example — seem to be at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. There’s currently no cure or vaccine for COVID-19.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

Fever and/or chills
Cough (usually dry)
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Tiredness (sometimes)
Aches and pains (sometimes)
Headaches (sometimes)
Sore throat (sometimes)

Cold

While you may feel miserable when you have a cold, the symptoms are generally mild compared to more aggressive viruses like the flu. A cold can cause any or all of these symptoms:

Runny or stuffy nose
Cough (mild)
Fatigue (sometimes)
Sneezing
Watery eyes
Sore throat
Headaches (rarely)
Aches and pains

Most over-the-counter medications have, at best, moderate effects on cold symptoms. A typical cold will last on average 7 to 10 days. The majority of the symptoms are actually not caused by the infection itself, but rather our body’s immune system trying get rid of it. Most cold viruses will go away if we’re patient and give our bodies time to fight them. Your immune system is the greatest defense against the common cold.

Flu

Seasonal influenza (flu) is still active and generally comes on fast and furious. It’s a common respiratory infection caused by a virus that affects your nose, throat, and lungs and can last from 5 to 7 days. Here’s are some common symptoms of the flu:

Fever and/or chills
Cough (usually dry)
Fatigue
Aches and pains
Runny or stuffy nose (sometimes)
Sore throat (sometimes)
Diarrhea (sometimes in children)

Unlike for colds or coronavirus, vaccination is a good way to prevent the flu. If you received a flu shot and still get the flu, your symptoms are generally milder than if you didn’t receive the flu shot. Most people with the flu get well without medical treatment. Stay home and get plenty of rest and fluids and treat a fever with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

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